Mushroom Quiche Recipe: A Savory Delight
This recipe will guide you through making a delicious and satisfying mushroom quiche, perfect for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner. We'll focus on techniques to ensure a perfectly flaky crust and a creamy, flavorful filling. This recipe is easily adaptable to your preferred mushroom type and dietary needs.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound mushrooms (cremini, button, shiitake, or a mix), sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese (or Swiss, cheddar, or your favorite cheese)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent shrinkage.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch quiche pan or tart pan. Trim and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling.
Preparing the Filling:
- Sauté mushrooms and onions: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion. Cook until the mushrooms are softened and have released their moisture, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking.
- Prepare the egg mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, grated cheese, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the quiche: Pour the sautéed mushroom mixture into the prepared crust. Pour the egg mixture over the mushrooms.
Baking the Quiche:
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. A knife inserted near the center should come out clean.
- Cool and serve: Let the quiche cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Tips for the Perfect Mushroom Quiche:
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Ensure the mushrooms aren't overcrowded in the skillet to allow even browning and moisture release.
- Blind bake (optional): For a crispier crust, you can blind bake it before adding the filling. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes before removing the weights and parchment.
- Experiment with mushrooms: Feel free to experiment with different types of mushrooms for a unique flavor profile.
- Add other vegetables: Enhance the quiche with other vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or asparagus.
- Make it ahead: This quiche can be made ahead of time and reheated.
This detailed recipe, combined with helpful tips, ensures a delicious and impressive mushroom quiche every time. Enjoy!